\nDeveloping on-camera skills for instruction requires a framework. Through my experience as a multimedia developer, on-camera talent, and presentation coach, I\u2019ve found it helpful to focus on a few core elements. In the model below, effective video begins with identifying the desired goals. These goals influence the four core elements of speaking on-camera, each of which runs deep with underlying strategies and principles. Each core element also can be used as a rubric for skill development.<\/p>\n
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MESSAGE DESIGN<\/strong> Chunk videos into four minutes or less. <\/strong>According to several studies on optimal viewing length for videos, learners tend to engage more with shorter videos. The optimal video length is four minutes or less. When you have more than four minutes of content, identify the content most conducive to video delivery, then chunk and sequence it into modular videos. Offload remaining instructional content to other media (such as self-paced reading assignments) when appropriate. When it comes to online video, brevity is better, because as videos get longer, viewers\u2019 attention spans get shorter.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n ON-CAMERA PRESENCE<\/strong> Visualize one person whose name you know standing in front of the camera lens and speak to him or her.<\/strong> Imagine someone\u2014preferably in your target audience\u2014reacting facially to what you say. This will help your on-camera delivery be more conversational. Your delivery needs to feel like you\u2019re really talking to someone because the more natural you can be, the more effective you\u2019ll be.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n VISUAL STAGING<\/strong> Use backdrops to hide visual distraction.<\/strong> If you have access to a studio, use it. If you don\u2019t, you can use photography background paper as a backdrop or weighted fabric. Overflowing bookshelves, office paper piles, and many other items compete for viewers\u2019 visual attention. The exception to this is if you shoot on a location related to your content. Pay attention to the background scenery because it subtly conveys messages that may compete with your content.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n TECHNICAL QUALITY<\/strong> Light the speaker well from the front. <\/strong>Good video requires lots of light. Pay most attention to lighting your speaker\u2019s face. Viewers don\u2019t want to see the speaker\u2019s face in shadows. Good lighting separates the speaker from the background. Consider using an inexpensive LED light placed near the camera directed at the speaker.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n These are exciting times for learning and training. According to Cisco\u2019s forecasting research, by 2018, online video will be one of the most highly adopted forms of media. As video use continues to grow and expand, let\u2019s build our skills for teaching effectively on-camera with these core elements: great message design; on-camera presence; visual staging; and technical quality. And that\u2019s a wrap!<\/p>\n
\nContent is inherently about message, so that\u2019s the place to start. Message design includes elements such as capturing attention, conversational scripting, supporting visuals, optimal length, and more. Let\u2019s focus on two essential principles here:<\/p>\n\n
\nStaring into a camera lens and speaking in a fluent, compelling way doesn\u2019t come easy to most people. On-camera presence is about building credibility, using eye contact, projecting energy, and more. Here are a few principles to keep in mind:<\/p>\n\n
\nViewers can easily get distracted. The next core element addresses management of anything inside the visual frame that could draw focus away from the content.<\/p>\n\n
\nMany people minimize the importance of technical quality for video. There may be some truth to \u201cgood enough,\u201d but with a little more effort, you can produce higher-quality video, giving greater credibility to your message. Technical quality includes good audio, camera equipment, lighting, and more. There are a few simple things you can do to ensure better technical quality:<\/p>\n\n